Fusible link.



A. J. GROSS.

FUSIBLE LINK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 2 I914 .v E STAS Arnr Inn.

ALLAN J. GROSS, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR or TWO-THIRDS ro zronn L. KENNEDY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FUSIBLE LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patented Sept. 17, 1918- Application filed November 2, 1914. Serial No. 869,949.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLAN J. Gnoss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in F usible Links, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to fusible links adapted for various uses, and particularly for holding devices under tension or pressure, but releasing the same upon the application of heat at a predetermined temperature. The device is applicable for many uses, as for example, for holding the sprinkler head parts of an automatic fire extinguishing system, to control the closing or breaking of an electrical circuit, sound an alarm, maintain windows, doors, etc., open or closed, and the like. It has among its objects the production of a device of the'kind described that is simple, inexpensive, durable, attractive, efficient, and satisfactory, and which may be used wherever found applicable. It has among its further obj ects the production of a linkof the kind described that will be extremely strong and rigidand stand a con- 7 parts,

siderable strain, and yet readily-respond and release at a predetermined temperature.

To this end my invention consists inthe novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and de-. scribed, and more particularly pointed'out in the claims.

i In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding Figure 1 is a side elevation of one side of the link; I

Fig. 2 is a similar side;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the link;

view of the opposite Fig. 6 is a sectional View similar to a portion of Fig. 3, showing a slightly different construction, and

7 is a detail view illustrating a slightly modified construction of one of the arts. p In the drawings I have shown a link par ticularly adapted for use on sprinkler heads in automatic fire extinguishing systems, the

link being considerably enlarged, however,

for the purpose of clearly showing the details of the construction. The size of the link depends upon the particular use for which it is intended, the operation being the same regardless of the size. The preferred form of link consists of a substantially stirrup-shaped member 1, a cooperating recessed part 6, a closing or retaining member 14, suitable means arranged within the parts and normally positively engaging parts 1 and 6 together with the fusible means arranged to detachably secure the parts mentioned together. The stirrup-shaped membar 1 is provided with extending parts or legs 2, which as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, are integrally connected at the base by a connectin part 3, which connecting part forms a SilOHlClBl or abutment 5. As will behereafter referred to, the ends need not be integrally connected, and in that case the link termed U-shaped, although substantially stirrup or U-shaped is applicable as descriptive for either form. The cooperating link part 6 is of suitable shape and size and offset as at 7, forming a recess 8. It will be noted by referring to Fig. 3, that the edge or face 9 of theofi'set is within the face of part 6, or that is the offset is slightly less than the thickness of the material. WVhile in the drawing an opening is shown at the top of the offset, the material ordinarily yields or stretches enough so that the opening is very small, if'anyat all. At the end of part 6 Within the stirrup is provided a notch 10, the purpose of which will be more fully explained hereafter; The stirrupshaped part is offset between the ends, as for example at 4:, so that the end of the stirrup-V shaped part; is in the plane of the part6 when the parts are operatively positioned and secured together face to face, as shown.

Arranged within the parts, as shown in Figs. 3 and i, is the means for engaging the shoulder 5 of one part and the shoulder atS in part 6. For this purpose I have shown two cylindrical rolls 11 and 12, which are preferably made of a diameter so as not to extend beyond the outer faces of legs 2 of the link part 1 when positioned as shown. About the parts is arranged a plate 14, pref-' erably flanged at the ends as at 15. This; may be secured in position in any suitable way, as for example, by soldering, as at17,

part might more properly be or in an equivalent manner. (See Figs. 2 and e1). Also fusible material is sweated or poured into the spaces between the rolls, or in the chamber formed by the parts, which solidifies and also tends to maintain the parts together. The face of plate 14: affords a convenient space to place information concerning the link, for example as indicated in Fig. 1.

The centers of the rolls 11 and 12, that 1s the longitudinal axis of each, are slightly past the divisional line between parts 2 and (3, and within parts 2, owing to the fact that the offset 7 is offset less than the thickness of the material of part 6. In the form shown in Fig. 6, the link parts 2, 6 and 14: are similar to those previously described, except a block 20 is employed in place of the two rolls 11 and 12.

I have shown in Fig. 2, in dotted, two

of the sprinkler head arms or members 18 and 19, which extend through the opening between the links and engage part 1 and part 2. The link holds these parts together and prevents their separation. WVhen, however, heat reaches the link and the tempera ture is sufficient to fuse the fusible soldering metal 16 and 17, the link yields so that the arms or parts 18 and 19, which are under tension and hold the valve shut, quickly separate. Owing to the rolls 11 and 12 being slightly off center, the same tend to throw the link parts apart. The same is true with the block 20. The solder or fusible material are, of course, of suitable composition to melt at the desired temperature.

I have not considered it necessary to illustrate in detail a sprinkler head, or other device, secured or controlled by the link. It might be mentioned that in use the link is preferably inverted with the part fiat the top. The purpose of this is that the water seat of the sprinkler head being below the link (as well known to those familiar with the art) there is less danger of the water striking the link when the valve first opens.

' The form of parts 1, Gand It, may, of course,

be modified in shape, but the design shown is particularly desirable, as it is economical to manufacture, of light weight and "vet strong, It will be noted that the form shown in some ways resembles a small padlock, and as such is somewhatornamental.

A slight variation in the construction is shown in Fig. 7, in which i--2 represent thelegs of the U or sides of the stirrup. In this construction, however, the legs are disconnected at the ends, although formed with shoulders 5, the central portion of the connecting part being cut away. Enough is cut away so that the sprinkler parts or toggle levers will clear the opening. It will be noted by referring to the figure that the sides 3 are slightly inclined or cut at an angle, and the shoulders need only be large enough to engage the ends of and cooperate with the roller 11, or its equivalent. ith this construction the rollers prevent the legs from being forced together, while the band or covering member 14 prevents their separation. lVhen this link is in use and in inverted position, upon fusing of the solder the part will release, and there can be no possible chance for this link part to catch and be suspended by the parts of the sprinkler head. Among the many advantages of the particular type of construction shown, in which the cooperating mechanism is at one side of the fusible. material, it may be mentioned that the fusible material may be placed at any distance from the cooperating mechanism by lengthening or shortening the parts, so that, as previously set forth, the same may be arranged at a point where there is no possible chance of water striking the link and cooling it when the valve is open; the parts 18 and 19 constituting the coopcrating mechanism (shown in dotted) may be arranged very close together; the soldering areas may be increased to any desired extent; inspection of the fusible retainer may be conveniently made; and further this arrangement permits a construction substantially as shown in Fig. 7, the advantages of which have been mentioned before.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifica tions may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself as to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A fusible link, comprising two complementary members arranged face to face, means arranged within the confines of said members at the adjacent ends for normally positively preventing relative movement of said members, and means for detachably securing said part together, said members arranged to cooperate at one side of said first mentioned means for engagement with suitable parts of a cooperating mechanism.

2. A fusible link, comprising a stirrup member, a shorter cooperating face member adapted to be positioned against the face of said first member with one of its ends adjacent the end of the stirrup member, and provided with a recess formed therein, in combination with a'closure mem ber adapted to close the opposite face of the stirrup member and embrace the side edges thereof, the three members forming a chamber, said stirrup member and cooperating member arranged to engage the cooperating mechanism at one sideof said recess, in combination with cooperating mechanism positioned in the, chamber, and fusible means for holding said parts together, said mechanism arranged to forcibly separate the several members when released fromv the retaining fusible means holding them together.

3.. fusible link, comprising a stirrup member, a coiperatingmember adapted to be positioned against the face of the stirrup near one end thereof, said stirrup member being bent at the free end to bring the same substantially in line with said cooperating member when so positioned, said cotiperating member being formed with a recess and a closing'wall for one side thereof, and a closing member for the other side of the recess, comprising a suitably shaped member closing the opposite face of the recess and embracing the edges of the stirrup, in combination with separate means positioned in the recess, and arranged to forcibly separate said several parts when released from the effect of the solder holding them together.

4.. A fusible link, comprising a. stirrup member, a cooperating member adapted to be positioned against the face of the'stirrup near one end thereof, said stirrup member being bent at the other end to bring the same substantially in line with said cooperating member when so positioned, said cooperating member bemg formed with a recess and a closing wall for one side thereof, and a closing member for the other side of the recess, comprising a suitably shaped member closing the opposite face of the recess and embracing the edges of the stirrup, in combination with superimposed rollers positioned in the recess and closely filling the same, arranged to positively separate the parts when freed from the influence of the solder holding them together.

5. A. fusible link, comprising a stirrup member, a cooperating member. adapted to be positioned against the face of the stirrup near one end thereof, said stirrup member being bent at the free end to bring the same, substlintially in line with said cooperating 1T]0ll')l')Q-1' when. so positioned. said coiiperatinn member being formed with a recess and a closing wall for one side thereof, and a closing member for the other side of the recess. comprising a suitably shaped member closing the opposite face of the recess and embracing the edges of the stirrup, in combination with superimposed rollers positioncd in' and closely fitting the recess, with their centers offset from the line of contact of thestirrup and the recess closure n'iember, whereby the parts will be positively separated when freed from the effect of the. soldering.

6. A fusible link. comprising a stirrup .member, a cooperating member adapted to be positioned against the face of the stirrup bar near with the ends bent to embrace the edges of V the stirrup and cooperating member, retaining means arranged within said recess and stirrup member and engaging both parts. and fusible means for securing the several parts together.

7. A fusible linkfor sprinkler heads, comprising a stirrup-shaped member arranged at one end. for engagement with a cooperating part of the sprinkler mechanism, a cooperating member adapted to be positioned against the face of the stirrup memberat one end thereof, said stirrup member offset intermediate'the ends a distance to bring the endin the plane of said cooperating member, said cooperating member formed with a recess in the face adjacent the face of the stirrup member, a. closing member positioned on the opposite face of the stirrup member with the ends bent to embrace the edges of the stirrup and cooperatin g member, retaining means arranged within said recess and stirrup member, and engaging both parts, and fusible ineans forsecuring the several parts together.

8. A fusible link for sprinkler heads, comprising a stirrup-shaped member arranged at one end for engagement with a cooperating part of the sprinkler mechanism, a cooperating member adapted to be posit'ioned against the face of the stirrup mem the opposite end thereof, and formed at its end adjacent said first men tioned end of the stirrup member to engage a cooperating part of the sprinkler mechanism, a. U-shaped member positioned on the opposite side of the stirrup member from said cooperating member with the ends extending at the edges of said stirrup member and cooperating member, and of sufficient length to project slightly beyond the outside face of the cooperating member, said cooperating member provided with a recess therein. means arranged to engage the cooperating member at one end of said recess and the stirrup member adjacent the other end of said recess, and fusible means for securing the said parts together.

9. The combination in a fusible link, of a stirrupshaped member, arranged at the end for engagement with a cooperating part, a coiiiperating member of less length than said stirrup member arranged at one end of the stirrup and provided with a recess in the innor side thereof, the end adjacent the first mentioned end of the stirrup member arranged for engagement with a cooperating part, a closing member arranged on the other side of the stirrup member at said end with the end extended at the edges of said parts beyond the outer face of said cooperating member, superimposed rollers positioned within the confines of the stirrup and recess in said cooperating member with their centers offset from the line of contact of the stirrup and member, and fusible metal arranged within the recess and stirrup about said rollers, and at the ends of said closing member on the outer face of the cooperating member.

10. A fusible link, comprising the combination of a substantially U-shaped member formed with shoulders adjacent the ends of the legs, a cooperating member formed at its end to engage a cooperating part positioned between said end and the closed end of said U-shaped member and with a shoulder there in, means for detachably securing said parts together and means arranged between said shoulders for normallypositively preventing the sliding of one part upon the other,

said first mentioned part offset intermediate the ends so as to lie substantially in the plane of said second part.

11. The combination in a fusible link of two cooperating members, one shorter than the other and arranged face to face with one end of the longer member extending be yond the end of the other, said parts arranged to engage about cooperating mechanism between the extending end of the long part and the adj acent end of the other part, and means at the other ends of said parts overlying each other at one side of the cooperating mechanism for normally maintaining said parts in operative relation and preventing the sliding of one over the other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALLAN J. GROSS. lVitnesses:

Ror WV. HILL, CHARLES I. Conn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

